JAB to Divest Clinics for FTC Approval of $1.7 Billion Ethos Deal

JAB Consumer Partners agreed to divest some pet clinics as a condition for FTC approval of the private equity firm’s $1.65 billion acquisition of their ultimate parent company, VIPW LLC.

The divestiture of five clinics in Virginia, Colorado, and California, owned by a VIPW unit, Ethos Veterinary Health, will prevent JAB from consolidating control of the vet clinic market, the Federal Trade Commission said Wednesday in a statement announcing the consent agreement.

For the next decade, JAB also must notify the FTC and seek prior approval before acquiring specialty or emergency vet clinics within 25 miles of any other clinic ...